Diabetes Care & Education
This section serves as the core hub for diabetes-related content, including clinical care, education, technology, Standards of Care updates, and practical diabetes management strategies. Diabetes care, diabetes education, diabetes management, CGM, insulin management, diabetes technology, DSMES, diabetes nutrition
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The Role of the DCES in Type 1 Diabetes Screening and Early Detection
What if type 1 diabetes could be identified before symptoms appear? As screening and staging for type 1 diabetes continue to advance, healthcare professionals have new opportunities to identify individuals at risk earlier than ever before. Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (DCESs) are uniquely positioned to help lead this effort through screening education, risk identification, emotional support, and care coordination. Learn how the role of the DCES is evolving and why early detection is changing the future of type 1 diabetes care.
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The End of Prediabetes? Understanding the Proposed Stages of Type 2 Diabetes
For decades, the term prediabetes has been used to describe blood glucose levels that are elevated above normal, but not yet high enough to meet the criteria for type 2 diabetes. However, a growing group of international diabetes experts is now questioning whether the term itself may contribute to clinical inertia and delayed treatment. In a recent commentary published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, diabetes researchers proposed replacing the term prediabetes with a formal three-stage classification system. The goal is to better reflect the progressive nature of diabetes and encourage earlier intervention to reduce long-term complications. So what could…
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Once-Weekly Insulin Is Here. What Does It Mean for Your Patients?
What has felt like years in the making has finally arrived: a once-weekly insulin. This long-acting (basal) insulin, designed to be injected just once per week, has the potential to simplify long-term insulin therapy in a meaningful way. At first glance, it may not seem like a major shift. But for individuals taking insulin, and for those supporting them, reducing the burden of daily injections can make a real difference in self-care routines, "adherence", and ultimately long-term health outcomes. So what does this mean for you and your patients? Who might be a good fit, and how should you counsel…
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Diabetes and Nutrition: Strengthening Safety During Religious Fasting
March is one of my favorite months. Along with several family birthdays, it is also National Nutrition Month. Established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, this annual campaign encourages individuals and communities to make informed food choices and build sustainable eating habits. This year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” aligns closely with the direction of the American Diabetes Association 2026 Standards of Care. To celebrate, each week this month I will take a closer look at updates to nutrition guidance in Section 5 of the 2026 Standards. This week, we will explore important updates related to safety and…
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Three Takeaways From ADA Clinical Updates: Turning Standards Into Practice
If you work in diabetes care and education and are a member of the American Diabetes Association, you’ve likely received the nearly 400-page Standards of Care journal in your mailbox. What began as a three-page reference document in 1989 has grown into a comprehensive resource that now rivals a phonebook. The depth of guidance is incredibly valuable, but translating all of those standards into day-to-day clinical practice can feel a bit daunting. Enter the ADA Clinical Updates Conference, an important piece of the puzzle that focuses on moving evidence off the page and into real-world care. After spending the weekend…
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Diabetes and Menopause: What’s the Connection?
Menopause is having a moment. From increased discussion in books, Menopause is having a moment. From increased discussion in books, movies, and podcasts to growing funding for research, risk assessment, and treatment, this stage of life is finally receiving long-overdue attention. We are beginning to recognize that women have unique health needs during the menopausal transition. What is discussed less often is the increased risk of developing diabetes during this period and the implications this risk has for long-term health and quality of life. Menopause is associated with significant metabolic changes that can negatively affect insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation,…
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The Articles You Read Most in 2025 (And Why I Wrote Them)
As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the writing that mattered most, both to me and to the people who read it. This year, a few articles clearly stood out, not just in page views and shares, but in the conversations they sparked and the messages I received afterward. These pieces addressed topics I felt strongly needed clarity, nuance, or a more evidence-based lens, especially where misinformation and oversimplification are common. They represent the kind of work I most enjoy creating: thoughtful, science-grounded, and practical content. If you missed any of these, this is a great place…
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Do You Need to Lose Weight to Prevent Diabetes? Maybe Not
Weight loss has long been considered the top recommendation for preventing type 2 diabetes. In fact, research shows that losing just 5–7% of body weight can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by nearly 60%. But what about the people who lose weight and still have elevated glucose levels? Or, those who make significant lifestyle changes, don’t lose weight, yet show improvements in their glucose status? Are they simply outliers, fortunate or unfortunate depending on how their metabolism responds? Emerging research suggests that diabetes prevention is more complex than simply losing weight. Read on to learn what scientists are discovering…
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Nutrition and Type 1 Diabetes: What Are Best Practices for Insulin Dosing?
I recently had the opportunity to contribute to an upcoming text from the American Diabetes Association on nutrition therapy in diabetes care. Specifically, I was tasked with reviewing and rewriting a chapter on nutrition recommendations for adults with type 1 diabetes and insulin-requiring type 2. In my excitement for its upcoming publication, I want to share a preview of some best practices for insulin dosing for individuals on multiple daily injections (MDI). What are the strategies for dosing insulin with meals? How can doses be adjusted? And how do factors like exercise, alcohol, or stress come into play? I hope…
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What Is Type 5 Diabetes? Exploring the Newest Diagnostic Category
If you’ve seen a new diabetes diagnosis category circulating in medical circles and found yourself confused, thinking, “I don’t remember learning about that type in medical, nursing, or dietetics school,” don’t worry. It’s not necessarily a brand-new form of diabetes, but rather a reclassification of an existing phenotype, now described with clearer criteria and greater focus on its underlying causes. Malnutrition-related diabetes, now referred to as Type 5 Diabetes, was recently recognized by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Let’s explore what this new classification means and how it may impact your practice. What is Type 5 Diabetes? Type 5 diabetes…
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Double Diabetes: Supporting Patients Through the Diagnostic Overlap
If you’ve never heard the term “double diabetes” before, don’t be alarmed. It’s not an official diagnosis, and you likely won’t find it in a medical textbook. However, it’s a term that’s gaining traction to describe a growing population of adults whose diabetes doesn’t fit neatly into the diagnostic criteria for either type 1 or type 2. Sometimes referred to as “hybrid diabetes,” “type 1.5,” or “LADA” (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults), recent research suggests that the distinction between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is less clear-cut than previously thought. In some cases, features of both types can coexist.…
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2025 ADA Standards of Care: 4 Key Changes You Shouldn’t Miss
The start of a new year means one thing in diabetes care and education—new Standards of Care! While the guidelines continue to grow in size and detail, much like a thick phone book, their annual updates are incredibly important for shaping high-quality care for people living with diabetes. Here are four key updates I’m particularly excited to see this year. What are the Standards of Care? The ADA Standards of Care are widely recognized as the gold standard for evidence-based guidelines in diagnosing and managing diabetes and prediabetes. Grounded in the latest scientific research and clinical trials, these guidelines provide…
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New Year, New Services: Elevate Your Diabetes Care in 2025
Over the past year, I’ve been dedicated to expanding and refining the services I offer to provide exceptional support in diabetes care and education. As we step into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reintroduce these offerings to ensure both new and existing clients can fully benefit from everything available. Whether you’re just discovering my practice or have been with me for a while, here’s an overview of how these services can elevate your diabetes care and education. Contractual Services & Training In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, delivering comprehensive and effective diabetes care is more essential than ever. At…
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Destigmatizing Diabetes
Diabetes stigma refers to the negative attitudes, judgment, discrimination, or prejudice directed at individuals simply because they have diabetes. This stigma can manifest both internally and externally. Internal stigma arises when individuals with diabetes internalize negative beliefs, often leading to feelings of self-blame, shame, and guilt. This can result in a sense of personal responsibility for their condition, undermining their self-esteem. In contrast, external stigma is imposed by others through judgmental attitudes, discriminatory behaviors, or insensitive comments. This external stigma can reinforce harmful internal beliefs, further exacerbating the emotional burden on those living with diabetes. The most damaging aspect of…
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Mitigating Therapeutic Inertia of GLP-1 Use in T2D
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, commonly known as GLP-1 RAs, have recently garnered significant media attention. Initially developed to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, these medications have also proven to be highly effective for weight loss and enhancing cardiovascular health. However, without proper initiation, titration, and support from the care team, they can often be ineffective and unsustainable. Patients can become stuck in therapeutic inertia. I had the pleasure of presenting on this topic with a pharmacy colleague at this year’s ADCES Annual Conference for diabetes care and education specialists. Here’s how we identified and provided solutions…
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3 Foods to Eat Less of as You Age
As we age, our nutritional needs and metabolism change. Making mindful adjustments to our diet can help us maintain good health, prevent chronic diseases, and improve overall quality of life. Here are three foods you should consider reducing as you get older. Alcohol As we age, our body’s ability to process alcohol can change dramatically. Liver function declines, leading to slower metabolism of alcohol, which means alcohol stays in the system longer and has more pronounced and prolonged effects. Additionally, decreased production of enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism (such as ADH and ALDH) puts older adults at higher risk of…
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Over-the-Counter CGM Coming to a Pharmacy Shelf Near You
This has been the summer of over-the-counter CGM announcements. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), once only accessible through prescriptions, are now becoming readily available over the counter. This shift marks a significant step forward in the management of diabetes and other conditions that affect blood sugar levels. With several major brands introducing or expanding their OTC offerings, individuals now have more options and greater accessibility. The move towards OTC availability promises to empower more people to take control of their health with real-time glucose monitoring, providing a new level of convenience and insight into their glucose management. OTC CGM Options Dexcom…
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Misconceptions About Immune Health
Our immune health is closely linked to our body’s capacity to fend off germs and bacteria. A robust immune system can effectively shield us from foreign invaders. Chronic illnesses, stress, specific medications, and life stage transitions (such as pregnancy) can compromise our immune health, rendering us more susceptible to common viral infections. Diabetes and Immune Health Diabetes can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of infections and impairing wound healing. High blood sugars interfere with immune cell function, leading to a higher susceptibility to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Chronic inflammation in diabetes further compromises immune health. Proper management,…
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Behavior Change and New Habits
As the new year begins, many people start new diets to improve their health. After a month or so, they often feel frustrated and find it tough to stick to these eating behaviors. This can lead to a sense of wanting to give up, even though they haven’t given themselves enough time to develop these new routines. How Long Does it Take to Form New Habits? The speed at which new habits form hinges on our willingness to embrace change. Initially, we assess how our actions align with our short and long-term health objectives. We weigh the advantages of maintaining…
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At Home A1c Test Kits
An at-home A1c test kit can be a valuable metabolic screening tool for detecting elevated blood sugars due to insulin resistance, a key precursor of type 2 diabetes. These kits provide a convenient way to monitor and assess metabolic health status, especially for those who may be considered higher risk. What is an At Home A1c Test Kit? The A1c test provides a three-month average of blood sugar levels by measuring the amount of glucose molecules attached to hemoglobin proteins on red blood cells. To perform the test, a small blood sample from a finger stick is applied to a…
